Fourdrinier wire stringing method and apparatus



May 31, 1960 E. D. BEACHLER Filed May 22, 1956 FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 31, 1960 E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 31, 1960 E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 i U 7 M 3 f w 3 n t m I O z 4 0 H a a x, Q J I H K M, w

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May 31, 1950 E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 w Zfm Zr/W5.

May 33, 39% E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 &

May 31, 1960 E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 May 31, 1950 E. D. BEACHLER FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 1O q .mWJ.

.ZEYVE 217 0? Ala/men D. 5544-14452 United States Patent FOURDRINIER WIRE STRINGIN G METHOD AND APPARATUS Edward D. Beachler, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 22, 1956, Ser. No. 586,483 14 Claims. Cl. 162-273) This invention relates in general to paper making machines, and more particularly to paper making machines employing Fourdrinier wires, and still more particularly to a method and apparatus for stringing a Fourdrinier wire for installation on a paper making machine.

Heretofore, wire stringing apparatuses have been difiicult to manipulate and, in many cases, have caused damaging injury to the wire before it is received on the paper machine. Also, when the wire has not been uniformly stretched during the stringing operation, damaging stresses are built up in certain parts of the wire which cause or result in causing failure in the wire. Further, wire stringers or changers in the past have necessitated long shut down periods of the paper machine during the wire changing operation.

In the present invention, a novel Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus and method allows for easy stringing and stretching of a Fourdrinier wire into an elongated loop for application to a Fourdrinier paper machine. Specifically, a wire bundle is rotatably supported on a frame assembly with the end loop held open wide enough to freely encompass cantilever rolls at one end of the Fourdrinier paper machine. Wire poles are freely carried on the frame assembly, some of which are inside the wire loop and some of which are outside of the wire loop. Pole carriers suspended from above receive the poles and the wire loop to string it down the Fourdrinier machine while unwinding the wire from the wire bundle. A shallow envelope or end loop is defined in the stringing operation which allows the end of the loop to easily be taken down the Fourdrinier machine without affecting any substantial strain on the wire. The loop of the wire is gradually opened and finally stretched and held in a position large enough to freely encompass the other rolls of the Fourdrinier machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved wire stringing apparatus and method for use principally in connection with Fourdrinier machines.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a wire stringing apparatus and method which assures uniform stringing and stretching of the Fourdrinier wire, quickly and easily, wherein the changing of the Fourdrinier wire may be expeditiously handled.

A still further object of this invention is a provide a wire stringing apparatus and method, wherein the wire is initially extending into a shallow envelope or loop and then opened and stretched to freely encompass all of the rolls of a Fourdrinier machine.

Another object of this invention is in the provision of a wire stringing apparatus and method, including a plurality of movable wire pole carriers which function to gradually unwind a wire bundle and string the Fourdrinier wire.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wire stringing apparatus including a frame assembly for rotatably mounting a wire bundle and freely supporting a pinrality of wire poles inside the loop of the wire and a plurality of wire poles outside of the loop of the wire.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a wire stringing apparatus including ,a frame assembly which rotatably mounts a wire bundle and a plurality of wire supporting poles, an overhead track assembly for suspending the frame assembly for lateral travelling movement, a second overhead track assembly for suspending a plurality of travelling pole carries which serve to receive the wire supporting poles from the frame assembly and open the loop of the wire while unwinding the wire bundle.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a wire stringing apparatus and method that gradually unwinds a wire bundle into a shallow envelope or loop, and then opening the loop to freely encompass the rolls of the Fourdrinier machine without affecting any substantial strain on the wire.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the frame or stand assembly employed in the instant invention for stringing a Fourdrinier wire, and showing the first step of operation with the wire bundle rotatably mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is an .end elevational view of the frame assembly shown in Figure 1, illustrating more clearly the manner in which the wire bundle is rotatably supported on this assembly;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the clamping mechanism employed to support the ends of the wire roll, and is taken substantially along line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the loop end of the wire stretched around supporting poles on the frame assembly in order to freely encompass cantilever rolls of the Fourdrinier machine, and illustrating the placement of other poles on the frame assembly inside and outside of the loop;

Figure 5 is a reduced side elevational somewhat diagrammatic view, showing the overhead supported pole carriers in their initial positions with poles received from the frame assembly mounted on the first pole carrier;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to that of Figure 5 illustrating a further step in the operation of the present invention, wherein the firstpolc carrier is advanced down the Fourdrinier machine and poles are mounted on a second pole carrier for continuing the support of the wire loop;

Figure 7 shows a still further step in the operation of the present invention, wherein poles are received on all of the pole carriers which are advanced down the Fourdrinier machine in spaced relationship to support the wire in a shallow envelope or loop, and illustrating the first pole carrier bracketed to an upstanding stationary member;

Figure 8 is also a diagrammatic view showing a further step in the stringing of the wire, wherein the outside pole on the last carrier has been dropped allowing the wire to fall down on a fixed outside roll of the machine;

Figure 8A is a greatly enlarged detail view of a pole carrier and a rope arrangement employed for lowering the poles;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating another step in the stringing operation with the rest of the outside poles dropped and the inside pole of the first pole carrier as being fastened to a pedestal near the floor;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 9, but illustrating the pole supporting bar of the first pole carrier as being removed and the overhead line anchored to the stationary member, and showing the stretching of the wire and the lifting of the upper runwhich is accom- 3 plished by pulling backward the trolleys of the last pole carrier; and V I Figure ll is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line XI XI of,Fignre l0, WithC-PaFtS 'iIl elevation, showing in dotted lines the'methodpfopera; tion of removal and replacement of rolls inthe machine.

As shown on the drawings: i H

While the present invention is primarily usefulin the stringing and stretching of a Fourdrinier wireinto' an elongated envelopeor loop to receive therolls of a-Four: drinier paper machine, it will be understood that other uses and purposes may be apparent to one skilled in the art. The present invention will be describedin connection with a Fourdrinier machine, wherein the rolls normallywithin the wire loop are retracted; except for one or more cantilever rolls -at-one end of the machine.

A new Fourdrinier', wire, is generally wound into a wire roll or bundle, wherein one end loop is generally provided with an elongated; rod or core member which protrudes from. both lateral edges of the wire. As seen more particularly inzl' igures l ;and 2, -a wire bundle 10 is provided with a firstelongated' cylindrical core member 11 and a second elongated core member 12 over which both thicknesses of the wire are first trained or wrapped beforewrappingthem around the loop end held by the first core member 11 This type of a core arrangement is most widely used inorder tQpreven-t kinking and 4- V grippers 24 and 27, while the opposite end threadedly receives a nut 28 and is adjustably received in a slotted end 29 of the upper gripper 23. Thus, the grippers 23 and 24 of the clamping element 21 are capable of receiving core members of various sizes, the important features being the ease in connecting the rotatably mounted clamping members to the ends of a wire bundle core for rotatably mountinga wire-bundle. e r

As seen most clearly in .Fignreg4, a pair of lifting eyes 30, 30 are rigidly secured to the upper ends of the standards 19a and-19b ofthe supporting members and-16;- Supported overhead is an iuverted T-shaped track 31 extending transversely ofthesupporting'members 15 and damaging of the inner. loop end of the wire when the wire is wrapped in a bundle. Similarly, the outer terminating loop may be provided witha rod .or wire pole 13 ('Figure 2). While ajspecific form of wire bundle isherein illustrated, it will be understood that other wire bundles may also be employedin connection with the instant invention. l

Generally, in themethodofthe invention, the end loop of the wire bundle will be opened'to freely encompass cantilever rollsof a Fourdrinier machine, and the wire will be strung down the Fourdrinier machine upon unwinding the bundle before being opened and stretched to receive the other rolls. 7

The apparatuspf the invention comprises a frame or rack assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 14 which includes/a pair of spaced parallel supporting members .15 and "16- which rotatably mount a wire bundle in a manner hereinafter ,described., r 1 Refen-ing-nowto the frame assembly 14, and more particularlygto thesupporting members 15 and '16., as seen in Figures l and 2, each supporting member includes a horizontal base 17 having an elongated track 18 along the upper-side with upstanding; stop members 18a and 18b at the opposite terminal ends-of the track. The purpose of the track will be more clearly hereinafter set forth, andfor simplicity, identical parts of the supporting members 15 and 16 will be designated with identical reference numerals.

Extending upwardly from, each base 17 are standards 19a and 19b, respectively, which mount on top thereof opposing bearing pedestals 20, 20.

As seen most clearly in Figure 2, each bearing pedestal 20 rotatably carries a clamping element 2 1 capable of removably clamping the very end portions of the Wire bundle coremernbers 1 1 and 12.

Referringnow to Figures 2 and 3, each clamping member21 is seen to include a stub shaft 22 journalled in a pedestal mount 20, and upper and lower gripping members 23 and 24 Which are. offset from the stub shaft 22 in order togenerally center the wire bundle axis in alignment with the stub shaft 22. The grippers 23 and '24 are provided with spaced gripping faces 23a, 23a and 24a, 24a, respectively, which engage the outer surfaces of the core members '11 and .12. Z An adjustable linkage 25 is pivotally securedat its opposite ends m respectively connect one set of adjacent ends of the grippers 23 and 24, while a bolt 26 is positioned at the other .set of adjacent ends. One end of the bolt 26 is pivotally-secured. to the lower.

16 and parallelto the axis of the wire bundle 10. A trolley 32 is carried 'on the track and suspends therefrom a cable or line 33. Connected at the free end of the cable is a ring 34 which also carries the upper ends of cables 35, 35 which areconnected to the lifting eyes 30, 30 of asupporting member. A similar, trolley and supporting line arrangement is provided for each supportingrnember, wherein lateral travelling movementof the frame assembly 14 may be obtained. w

At one end of each supporting member base 17 is detachablymounted an elongated leg 36 which-extends outwardly and downwardly and terminates in a downwardly extending end including an upper portion 36a and a lower portion36b. At the other end of each supporting memberbase 17, a downwardly extending leg-37 including an upper portion 37a and alower offsetiportion 37b isprovided which is detachable at its upper, end fromjhe base'17. I

In order to carry out the stringing. operation in the present invention, a plurality of wire supporting poles are provided similar to the pole 13 already shown in the end of the wire bundleoutside loop, as seen in Figures 1 and 2. For simplicity, each pole will bedesignated by the numeral 13. Each pole includes a cylindrical wire engaging section 13a rotatably carried between oppositely extending stub shafts13b. Each stub shaft is provided. with a pair of axially spaced radialflanges 13c andfi13a' whichpdefine therebetween an annular channel shaped journalling portion. In the case of the poles 13 shown in Figure 2, the flanges on the stub shaft 13b stradd1e the tracks-18b t the supportingmembers 15- and 16. Thus, thewire pole 13 is supportedbetweengthe supporting members 15 and16. 7

Subsequent .to rotatably mounting the wire bundle 10, between the frame members 15 and 16, the; outside. wire loop is opened as shown in Figure 4, whereinrthe loop isstretchedaround Wire poles 13 carried by-the-detachable legs 36 and a wire pole 13 carried by the detachable legs 37. Specifically, the wirepoles carried by the legs 36rare positioned at the junction of the upperandrlower portions: 36a and 36b and at the lower free endof the lower freeportion 36b. While any type of an arrange mentsma-ybe employed to secure theendsof the wire poles to these legs, U-shapedclips 38 secured to, the legs, receive the channel shaped end portion of the pole stub shafts 13b, and swingablc' links 39 slotted at -their'free end for receiving a pivotal bolt-40 engage that-portion of. the pole; stub shafts 1312 between the main cylindrical portion 13;: and the first; outside'flange 13c. As to securing;a wire pole 13 to the other legs 37 of the frame assembly, a plurality of vertically spaced sets ofv prongs 41 are provided on the loweraoffset portion 37b,',.the uppen set of whichreceives apole 13. around which is trained the wire loop. IIl'dSIllllChgHS. it may bc desiredto hold the poles 13 in the sets of'prongs-41, a retaining bar 42 pivoted at 43 atone end to the yery freeend of the lower offsetarm portion 37b and slotted at its upper end in order to receive a swingingboltA-i, may-be swung into place to engage that portion of- -the stub: shaftliib between the .main cylinder portion andgthe first outside flange 13,as shownin Figure 4.; a a a I,

t li etit ee looni pen d-011th: frameassembly.

aasaasi the ehtire frame assembly 1'4 and the wire bundle'lfl is moved along the overhead supporting track 31 until'the loop freely encompasses the cantilever rolls A and B of the Fourdrinier machine, as shown in Figure 5. .It will be understood that the other rolls of the Fourdrinier machine which are normally positioned within the Fourdrinier wire loop have been retracted from their operative positions, but that the lower outside supporting rolls need not be displaced during the wire stringing operation.

Either'prior to the moving of the frame assembly 14 into place over the cantilever rolls or after it has been positioned, additional wire poles 13'will be mounted on the legs 37 outside of the wire loop, while other wire poles will be positioned within the wireloop and carried on the tracks 18 of the supporting members 15 and 16, all as seen in Figure 4. The abutments 18a and 18b prevent the wire poles from falling off at either ends of the tracks 18. I

In order to facilitate insertion of the wire poles in position on the tracks 18, the standard 19a on the supporting member 15 is provided with an opening 45 above the level of the tracks 18 through which the poles may be inserted (see Fig. 1). An outwardly projecting portion of the standard 19a rotatably mounts an upper roller 46 at the upper side of the opening 45 for engaging the upper side of a pole, while a lower rotatably mounted roller 47 is provided inwardly and at the bottom side of the opening 45 to engage the underside of a pole. Thus, the rollers 46 and 47 allow the heavy wire poles to be easily mounted on the tracks 18.

Referring now to Figure 5, a pair of parallel spaced overhead tracks 48 (and also seen in Figure 11) extend longitudinally and overhead of the Fourdrinier machine.

Suspended for travel along the overhead tracks 48 are a plurality of pole carriers, generally designated by the numerals 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53. Each pole carrier includes a set of trolleys 49a, 50a, 51a, 52a and 53a respectively. Each trolley respectively mounts rigid loops 4%, 50b, 51b, 52b and 53b.

As exemplary of the structure of the pole carriers, the pole carrier 53 also includes a flexible line or cable 531: suspended from the loop, 53b, a connecting member or ring 53d at the lower end of the line 53c, a second length of line or cable 53e extending downwardly from the ring 53d, a second ring 53f secured to the lower end of the line 53e, and a rigid pole end supporting bar 53g. To receive the ends of the poles :13, a forwardly opening U-shaped strap 53h and a downwardly opening U-shaped strap 53k are connected to opposite sides of the bar 53g and in spaced relationship therealong. These straps are adapted to receive the channel-shaped ends of the pole stub shafts, and to retain these shafts in place. Any suitable means such as a pin 521 (see Fig. 8A) may be removably received on the ends of the straps. Parts identical in the other pole carriers are designated by their respective members sufiixed by the same letters employed in connection with the description of the pole carrier 53.

In order to limit the maximum spacing between the trolleys of the pole carriers 50, 51, 52 and 53, flexible spacing lines of equal length are connected at their opposite ends to the respective trolle} loops between these p'ole carriers and are designated by the numerals 54a, 54b, and 540. Further, to limit the maximum spacing between the upper pole carrier rings 49d, 50d, 51d, 52d and 53d, flexible lines of equal length are connected at their opposite ends to the upper rings and are designated by the numerals 55a, 55b, 55c and 55a. It may also be noted that the lengths of the latter spacing lines are equal to the lengths of the spacing lines 54a, 54b and 540.

As seen in Figure 5, the first step in stringing the Fourdrinier wire down the Fourdrinier machine resides in removing two wire poles from the frame assembly 14 that are within the wire loop and securing them in place on the first pole carrier 49 with the wire trained thereover. Both of the wire poles may be taken from the track '18 on the supporting members 15 and 16 or one of the poles may be taken from the track 18 and the other pole may be taken from theupper set of prongs 41 at the bottom of the arms 37. 'Any suitable means may be employed in transferringthe wire poles from the frame assembly to thepolecarrier, such as an overhead cablehoist arrangement. r

. In order to advance the pole carriers down the Fourdrinier machine, a bridle or yoke 56 is connected to a winch 57 at the far end of the machine by a flexible '13 are secured in position, wherein the upper run of the wire is supported by the upper pole and the lower run is supported by thelower outside pole; thus, defining the beginning of a shallow envelope or loop between the pole carriers 49 and 50. p

Again the winch is operated to advance the pole carriers 49 and 50 until the spacing lines 54a and 55b between the pole carriers 50 and 51 are substantially taut. The pole carrier 51 is additionally provided with a rearwardly opening U-shap'edstrap 51m (see Fig. 6) directly behind the forwardly opening strap wherein two inside poles will be respectively mounted on these straps for supporting the upper run of the Fourdrinier wire and a single outside pole will be suitably mounted on the lower strap for supporting the lower run of the wire, as seen most clearly in Figure 7.

The pole carriers 51, 52 and 53 will be similarly advanced down the Fourdrinier machine whereas mounting of the poles and wire in a similar fashion as on the pole carriers 49 and 50 will be accomplished, until the wire is strung into the position as shown in Figure 7. It will be understood that any additional poles needed to carry out the stringing operation of the Fourdrinier wire may be at any time mounted on the frame assembly-14.

Since the Fourdrinier'wire is stretched into an elongated shallow envelope or loop as shown in Figure 7. reaching of the point where the first pole carrier '49 is positioned is relatively easy without incurring any substantial strain on the wire itself.

Referring again now to Figures 1 and 2, it is seen that arms 66a and 601; are mounted for horizontalsliding movement on the inside faces of the upstanding standards 19a and 19b, respectively, of the supporting members 15 and 16, respectively. Normally, these arms are in retracted position as shown in Figure 1. Suitable means, such as set screws or the like, may be employed for securing these arms rigidly in one position. Downwardly opening U-shaped straps 61a and 61b are carried at the ends of these arms closest to the supporting legs 37 for selectively receiving a wire pole 13 in the usual manner within the Fourdrinier wire loop when the arms are in their extended positions as shown in Figure 7; This wire pole held by these arms is mounted in position to support the upper run of the Fourdrinier wire before the wire bundle core members 11 and 12 are removed to 'release the inside loop end of the wire. Removal of the core members 11 and 12 from the end of the wire bundle is easily accomplished merely by opening the clamping elements 21 and pulling the core members from'th inner wire end loop to allow the wire to fall free from the core members and rest on the pole 13 held by the extended arms 60a and 60b. Then to allow the Fourdrinierwire to be supportingly contacted by the cantilever irolls 'A and B, the wire poles 13 held by the supportinglegs :36

7 V are pulled laterally from the wire loop and removed'as :showninFigur e7 d In order to maintainthe end of the wire loopsupported by the-firstpole carrier 49 inproper position while stringing .the.-wire,ythe upper wire pole .held by the corresponding U-shaped strap, rigidly connected at opposite ends to bracket arms 62 which are, in turn, carried by: the upstanding stationary structure 59. Then the bridle .56 and cable; 58 may be removed from the pole carrier 49 and utilizedgfor other purposes as shown in Figure 9. V V 3 The next st p i in t ,open neo e ha lo f p bfi or loop, wherein the outside pole carried by the last pole carrier 53 is dropped and-removed allowing the lower, run of thewire to be lowered for resting on one of the permanently-outside mounted rolls of the Fourdrinier machine, suchas. the roll '63 shown in Figure 8, whereinthe wire then hangs free between the roll 63 and the polecarrier 52. l I V v While any suitable means may be employed to lower the outside wire poles 13, one method that may be employed is illustrated in Figure 8A .in connection with the pole carrier 52, wherein a hook 52p is suitably secured in. upwardly spaced relationship from the lower free end of each end member 52g. of a rope or flexible line 52: Of course, a rope will be used at each end member-52g and each rope extends downwardly and is trained around the stub shaft 13b of the wire pole between the main cylindrical portion 13a and the first outwardly'spaced flange 13c, and upwardly and over the stub shaft ofthe inside pole which is carried in the upper set of U-shaped straps 52h. The rope is thentrained downwardly to be manipulated by an operator, wherein the outside pole may be slowly lowered to allow lowering of the lower wire run. It will be understood that all of the outside poles. may be lowered in fashion.

The other outside poles of the pole carriers 51-and 50 will then be lowered in sequence to allow lowering .of' the lower wire run. In order to hold the lower run .of the wire in proper position so that the paper machine rolls adapted to be positioned within the wire loop may freely clear the wire, the lower inside pole on the first pole carrier 49- which is not connected to the bracket 62 is dropped and secured in position on spaced pedestals 64, as seen in Figure 9. In this position, it is seen that the lower run .of the wire is also supported by the outside stationary rolls of the machine as designated by r the numerals 65, 66; 67 and 68; It will be understood that in some machines, more or lessoutside rolls may be provided. r

Where it may be necessary to clear other rolls to be positioned inside the wire loop and in contact with the lower run, such as the rolls 69 and 70 shown in phantom in Figure 10, pedestalsv may be provided to receive a wire :pole, such as the pedestals 69a for holding that portion f the wire in a posit-ionso that it'will freely. encompass the roll 69. This wire pole may be directly obtained from the frame assembly 14. As already pointed out, the pole carrier 51 is provided with a pair of poles inside the wire loop, and one of these poles may be lowered to Weigh down the lower wire run so that it may clear the roll 70. In either case, it'may or may not be necessary to secure the wire poles to a pedestal arrangement mounted on the floor. Similarly, other pole carriers may be provided with an extra 'set of pole receiving straps for carrying an extra inner pole.

Inasmuch as the wire .pole 13 from the first pole carrier 49 is now completely supported by the bracket arms 62, and-the lower wire pole has been removed from the bars 49g, the bars maybe unhooked from the lower ring 49 and removed. -Upon removal of these bars 49g, the lower ring 49 is swung upwardly and anchored to the upstanding structure 59 'bya cable or line 71, so that ithe connecting ring 49d is'held inposition as shownlin This hook receives one end Figure 10. I Since all of the pole carriers are connected together at the connecting, rings, by spacing lines, the

:connecting rings. are held iagainst longitudinalrnovement thereby maintaining the .wire poles supporting the upper .run of the wire in the sameJsPaced relationship .at' all times.

In order to lift the upper runof the wire to a positionso-that all of the retracted rolls of the paper machine will easily clear the wire when swung back into position the wire .lbopQa cable. Disconnected to the trolley loop 53b of the lastv pole carrier 53, for. connection to. a

winch. (not shown). Upon. actuation of this win'ch, the

trolleys of thevpolecarriers50, 151, 52 and '53 are pulled backwards along, the tracks 4.8Ito the position shown in Figure 1D. The trolleys of the pole carriers '50, 51,

52 and 53 are connected together by spacing lines 54a, 54b and 54c so that they will'all move together. Movement of the trolleys causes simultaneous upward lifting of the poles supporting the upper wire run, as seen in Figure 10, wherein the spacing elements cause the connecting rings and trolleys of the pole carriers 50', 5 1,

52 and 53 to maintain the shape of parallelograms.

Upward lifting of the upper wire run completes the stretching of the wire before the inside rolls of the paper machine are to be inserted within the wire loop.

After the rolls of the paper machine are properly positioned within the wire loop, the cable 72 leading to the trolley 'of the last'pole carrier 53 may be released .to allow the upper wire run to drop onto the,paper on the frame assembly 14. The detachable legs 36 and 37 are then removed from the frame assembly baseportion 17, and the base portions are swung clear of the Fourdrinier machine. 7

In Figure 11,-a specific example of how the .Fourdrinier rolls, suction boxes, etc., may be laterally removed from their operating position for stringing of, the wire and replaced after' tne wire has been strung is illustrated. A set of track members 75 is provided for supporting a portion of the Fourdrinier frame structure including the roll and a superimposed roll 76. The ro1ls70 and=76 are held in superimposed relationship byframe members 77, 77 which are carried on a movable track 78. slidable on a stationary track 79 of the set of tracks 75. The set of tracks is of course then suitably supported on the flooring or other support F that forms the-supporting base for the paper machine. It will be understood that during the stringing operation of the Fourdrinier wire, the rolls 70 and 76 are laterally removed to the position shown in sol-id lines in Figure 11 with the help ofthe track 75. When the Fourdrinier wire'has been properly strung and stretched so that it can freely receivethe working rolls of the Fourdrinier machine, the rolls;70 and 76 may then be laterally replaced between thev upper and lower runs of the wire, wherein they will takeethe position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 11. A pedestal 80 is provided to set forth the inner end of the slidable track 78 when it has been slid into position between the upper and lower ends of the Fourdrinier wire. It will be understood that other types of track arrangements or removal and replacement of the working rolls of the Fourdrinier machine may be provided.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for stringing a Fourdrinier wire, wherein the Fourdrinier wire may be easily and gradually unwound from a wire bundle and strung in position for the machine without-incurring damage to the wire, or subjecting it to any, undue strain utmost and being adapted to engage the ends of a wire bundle 7 core for rotatably supporting a wire bundle between said members, wire poles carried :between said members for holding the loop end of the bundle open to receive rolls at the head end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles carried, by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, and means suspended from overhead for receiving said other poles and gradually unwinding said wire bundle, said lastnamed means comprising a plurality of longitudinally movable downwardly dependent pole carriers having at one end pole retaining means and adjacent carriers being connected at vertically spaced locations between oppo site ends thereof to limit the spacing between the carriers at the connecting locations during unwinding of the wire bundle.

2. A Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including parallel spaced members, means for suspending said members from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, clamping elements rotatably mounted by each member and being adapted to engage the ends of a wire bundle core for rotatably supporting a wire bundle between said members, wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the bundle open to receive rolls at the head end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, and means suspended from overhead for receiving said other poles and unwinding said wire bundle, said means including a plurality of pole carriers suspended from overhead to travel longitudinally of said frame assembly and carry a plurality of poles having the Wire loop trained thereover, each of said pole carriers being connected to an adjacent carrier at vertically spaced locations between opposite ends thereof to control their spacing during unwinding of the wire bundle.

3. A Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including parallel spaced members, means for suspending said members from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, clamping elements rotatably mounted by each member and being adapted to engage the ends of a wire bundle core for rotatably supporting a Wire bundle between said members, wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the bundle open to receive rolls at one end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, and means suspended from overhead for receiving said other poles and unwinding said Wire bundle, said means including a pair of parallel spaced overhead tracks, trolleys mounted on said tracks, a flexible line connecting with each of said trolleys and a plurality of pole carriers suspended by said lines from said trolleys, adjacent pole carriers being connected to control the spacing therebetween during unwinding of the wire bundle.

4. A Fourdrinier wire stringing aparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including a pair of parallel spaced members, said members being supidv ported from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, a clamping element rotatably carried by each member and adapted to support therebetween a wire bundle, a plurality of wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the wire bundle open to receive rolls at one end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles loosely carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, and a plurality of pole carriers suspended from one end to travel longitudinally of said frame assembly, said pole carriers receiving at their opposite ends said other poles and being connected at their suspending ends and also upwardly of their pole receiving ends to control the spacing therebetween during unwinding of the wire bundle.

5. A Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including a pair of parallel spaced members, said members being supported from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, a clamping element rotatably carried by each member and adapted to support therebetween a wire bundle, a plurality of wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the wire bundle open to receive rolls at one end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles loosely carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, a pair of parallel tracks mounted overhead and extending longitudinally with respect to said frame assembly, a plurality of sets of trolleys carried on said tracks, a flexible line connecting with each of said trolleys, a pole carrier suspended by said lines from each set of trolleys, means connecting adjacent pole carriers to limit the spacing therebetween, and means for limiting the maximum distance between each successive set of trolleys except the first set.

' 6. A Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including a pair of parallel spaced members, said members being sup ported from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, a clamping element rotatably carried by each member and adapted to support therebetween a wire bundle, a plurality of wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the wire bundle open to receive rolls at one end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other wire poles loosely carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, a pair of parallel tracks mounted overhead and extending longitudinally with respect to said frame assembly, a plurality of sets of trolleys carried on said tracks, a flexible line suspended from each trolley, a connecting member on the free end of each line and a pole journalling member carried by each connecting member, a pair of aligned said pole journalling members defining a pole carrier, means for limiting the maximum distance between each connecting member, and means for limiting the maximum distance between each successive sets of trolleys except the first set.

7. A Fourdrinier wire stringing apparatus which comprises a frame assembly, said assembly including a pair of parallel spaced members, said members being supported from overhead for movement along their transverse axes, a clamping element rotatably carried by each member and adapted to support therebetween a wire bundle, a plurality of wire poles carried between said members for holding the loop end of the wire bundle open to receive rolls at one end of a Fourdrinier machine, a plurality of other Wire poles loosely carried by said members, some of said other poles being positioned inside the wire loop and some being positioned outside the loop, a pair of parallel tracks mounted overhead and extending longitudinally with respect to said frame assembly, a pm rality of sets of trolleys carried on said tracks, a fiexible line suspended from each trolley, aconnecting member onthe free end of each line and a pole journalling member carried by each connecting member, a pair of aligned said pole journalling members defining a pole carrier,

means for limiting the maximumdistance between each connecting member, and means for limiting the maximum distance between each successive set of trolleys except the first set, means for advancing the pole carriers away from said-frame assembly to unwind said wire bundle,,r'i1eans for anchoring the connecting mem'berremote'st 'fr'orn said frame assembly and means for pulling backward the set of trolleys nearest the frame assembly to stretch said wire andlift the upper run. c

.8. A wire stringing apparatus comprising means for rotatably supporting a wire bundle andinitially opening riers being connected at vertically spaced locations between opposite ends thereof to limit the spacing between the carriers at the connecting locations during unwinding of the wire bundle. v V

9. The method of fashioning'an endless paper forming wire wound on 'a core as a wire bundle into a deep elongated loop for installation on a paper making machine, which comprises mounting the wire bundle on a travelling frame assembly for rotation about its core, opening the outer loop end of said wire on said frame assembly to form'a loop for freely encompassing cantilever rolls of the machine, positioning the loop and frame assembly in association with cantilever rolls at one end of the machine so that the loop freely encompasses the rolls, inserting at least one wire pole within the outer loop end of the wire, supporting the wire pole from overhead,

advancing the wire pole a predetermined amount to wards the other end of the machine, inserting .a second wire pole within said wire loop .and a third wire pole outside of the loop to support superposedportions of the upper-and lower wire runs, supporting said second and I third poles from overhead, advancing the wire further towards the other end of themachine a predetermined amount, successively associating additional wire poles with said wire to support the wire and advance the wire towards said other end of the machine until the wire bundle is completely unwound and a shallow elongated wire loop is formed extending from said first loop, gradually'opening said shallow loop to fashion a deeper elongated loop, holding down the bottom run of said wire, and stretching said wire to enlargethe loop further for Vfreelyreceiving other rolls of the machine.

10. The method of fashioning an endless paper forming wire wound on a core' as a wirebundle into a deep elongated loop for installation on a paper making machine, which comprises mounting theewirebundle ona travelling frame assembly for rotation about its'core, opening the outer loop end of said wire on said frame assembly to form a loop for freely encompassing cantilever rolls of the machine, positioning the loop and frame assembly in association with cantilever rolls at one'end of the machine so that the loop freely encompasses the rolls, inserting at least one wire pole within the outer loop end of the wire, supporting the wire pole from overhead, advancing the wire pole a predetennined amount towards the other end of the machine, inserting a second wire pole within said wire loop and a third wire pole outside of the loop to support superposed portions of the said wire at spaced intervals to support superposed per; tions'of the upper and lower wire runs and advancing the outer-end wire loop towards said other end offthe machine until the wire bundle is completely unwound and a shallow elongated loop is formed extending'frorn said first lo0p, gradually opening said shallow loop to fashion a' deeper elongated loop, holding down the bottom run of said wire, and stretching said wire to enlarge the loop further for freelyv receiving other rolls of the machine.

11. The method of fashioning an 'endless paper forming wire wound on a core as a wire bundle into a deep elongated loop installation on a paper making machine, which comprises mounting-the wire bundle on a travelling frame assembly for rotation about its core, opening the outer loop end of said'wire on said frame/assembly to form a loop for freely'encompassing cantilever rolls of the machine, positioning the. loop and frame assembly in association with cantilever rolls at one end of the machine so that the loop freely encompasses the rolls, inserting at least one wire pole within. the outer loop end of the wire, supporting the wire pole from overhead, advancing the wire pole a predetermined amount towards the other end of the machine, inserting a second wire pole within said wire loop and a third wire pole outside of the loop to support superposed portions of the upper and lower wire runs, supporting said second and third poles from overhead, advancing the wire further towards the other end of the machine a pre etermined amount, successively associating other wire poles with saidwire at spaced intervals to support superposed portions of the upper and lower wire runs and advancing the outer-end wire loop toward said other end of the. machine until the wire bundleis completely unwound and a shallow elongated loop is formed extending from said first loop, successively lowering the wire poles from said one end of the machine to said other end of the machine tolower the lower wire run and fashion a deeper elongated loop, holding down the bottom run of said wire, and stretching said wire to enlarge the loop further for freely receiving other rolls of the machine. v

12. The'method of fashioning an endless paper form.- ing wire wound on a core as a wire bundle into adeep elongated loop installation on a paper making machine, which comprises mountingthe wire bundle on a travelling frame assembly for rotation about its core, opening the outer loop end of-said wire on. said frame assembly to form a loop for freely encompassingcantilever rolls of the machine, positioning the loopand frame assembly in association with cantilever rolls at one end of the machine so that the loop freely encompasses the rolls, inserting at least one wire pole within the outer loop end of the wire, supporting the wire pole from overhead, advancing the wire poleta predetermined amount towards the other end of the machine, inserting'a second wireipole within said wire loop and a third wire pole outside of the loop to support superposed portionsof the upper and lower wire runs, supporting said second and third poles from overhead, advancing the wire further towardsvthe other end of the machine apredetermined amount,successively associating other wire-poles with said wire at spaced intervals to support superposed portions of the upper and lower wire runs and advancing the outer'end wire loop towards said other end of the machine until the wire bundle is completely unwound and a shallow elongated loop is formed extending from said first loop, successively lowering the wire poles from said one end of the machine to said other end of the machine to lower the lower wire run and fashion a deeper elongated loop, holding down the bottom run of said wire, lifting the poles supporting the upper wire run to stretch the wire and enlarge the elongated loop so that the loop will freely 7 receive other rolls of the machine.

13. In a wire stringing apparatus for paper making machines, an overhead track, a series of carriages slidable on said track, flexible lines suspended from said carriages, pole carriers supported on said lines, spaced superimposed tie lines joining adjacent flexible lines to maintain predetermined spaced relation between the flexiible lines, means for anchoring one tie line against movement in one direction, and means for pulling the carriages in the opposite direction to raise the pole carriers.

14. In a Wire stringing device for paper making machines, the improvements of an overhead support, a series of suspension lines depending from said support, pole carriers suspended on said lines, upper and lower tie lines connecting the suspension lines to maintain a i4 predetermined maximum spaced relation between the pole carriers, and means for effecting relative longitudinal movement between the upper and lower tie lines to raise the pole carriers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,679,854 Darby Aug. 7, 1928 1,757,291 Briede May 6, 1930 2,251,912 Berry et a1 Aug. 12, 1941 2,473,100 Hornbostel June 14, 1949 

